Lakeville Soccer Club Coaching Newsletter April 2016

Lakeville Soccer Club Coaching Newsletter April 2016

Change the Leadership Equation: Empower Players (NSCAA Article by Warren Mersereau) “Being a soccer leader -- being a soccer coach -- requires among other qualities the potentially conflicting abilities to be both a decisive decision maker and someone who empowers players to make their own decisions. …we love to reference soccer as “a player's game.” We are proud that our game is freer flowing, less scripted, and less manipulated than other team sports like American football, basketball, and baseball, which are heavily and directly influenced by coaches through time outs, numerous substitutions, constant sideline commentary, and many predetermined plays. Consequently, soccer coaches more than coaches of other team sports have to help their players learn to think for themselves, to solve problems on their own and with their teammates in the run of play. In other words, soccer coaches need to empower their players individually and collectively to manage their games by responding to situations as rapidly as they develop, which are constantly. So, again, we are faced with this arguably conflicting juxtaposition that a soccer coach in practicing leadership must be both a decisive decision maker and someone who encourages his or her players to make their own decisions.” For the full article, please visit: http://www.nscaa.com/news/2016/03/leadership-series--empoweringplayers

Contacts: Chad Moore Director of Coaching Seamus Tritchler Player Development Director

Lakeville SC Fantasy Premier League

The leader after Week #32: Toppers (Rand Stenhjem)



DEMANDS OF THE GAME It is important to understand how a small change to an activity may significantly change the demands on the players. For example the difference between asking players to participate in a 3v1 possession activity requires a much higher physical demand than participating in a 4v1 possession activity. In the diagrams below, the ball is being passed across the top of the grid. In the left the grid (3v1), the run of the supporting player is much longer than the run of the supporting player in the right grid (4v1).

While both activities can be valuable in helping players develop various aspects of the game (passing, receiving, support, speed-of-play, etc.), coaches must realize that the demands are much different and manage the activity properly to achieve the maximum benefits. For example, the length of time players compete in the 3v1 will likely need to be shorter than in the 4v1. This will allow players to provide proper support without becoming physically exhausted.



April-May Match Schedule April 6 WNT v Colombia 6:00pm FS1 April 10 WNT v Colombia 1:00pm ESPN May 25 MNT v Ecuador 7:00pm ESPN2 May 28 MNT v Bolivia 7:00pm FS1

Coaching Education



Sessions will be appropriate for U9-U14 coaches. Focus will be on technical development and principles of attack. Saturday, April 2 – 10:00am-11:00am Ames Arena Saturday, April 16 – 9:00am-10:15am Michaud Park Wednesday, April 20 – 6:00pm-7:15pm Michaud Park

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